Immigrate to Portugal to understand the Portuguese lifestyle: Portugal is a country with a rich history, and it has been described in colors: blue represents the origin of maritime ideals; red symbolizes the exploration of national character; gold showcases the achievements of navigation; gray reflects the sorrow left by the sea; and the vibrant colors represent the diversity of modern Portuguese life.
Below, the editor provides the most comprehensive and fresh information for investors regarding local cuisine, shopping, transportation, accommodation, and more, to help Portuguese investment immigrants better understand Portugal.
Specialty Cuisine
When traveling to Portugal, many people have a very important goal—tasting the world-renowned Portuguese egg tart. Lisbon is the birthplace of the egg tart, and the world's first egg tart shop is hidden in the alleys near the Jerónimos Monastery, marked by the blue and white tiles spelling out "1837" on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant, which is the year Pastéis de Belém opened. It is said that only three people know the recipe for the egg tarts from this shop, and you cannot find such authentic flavors anywhere else. The egg tarts we eat in our country were actually brought to Macau by the British over a hundred years ago, and the preparation method and recipe are different from those here.
Additionally, Portuguese cuisine often uses olive oil, garlic, herbs, tomatoes, and sea salt for seasoning. Seafood lovers will not be disappointed in Portugal, as seafood dishes are abundant and diverse. Besides seafood, most menus also feature pork, chicken, and beef dishes.
Shopping Highlights
The best place for shopping in Portugal is undoubtedly Lisbon, where various old luxury clothing and brand shoes are heavily discounted every January. Rua Augusta, located in the city center, is one of Lisbon's most enticing shopping areas, with the famous Baixa shopping street lined with fashion stores, jewelry shops, souvenir stores, upscale restaurants, and cafes. Many well-known European brands, especially Spanish ones, are mostly produced in Portugal, offering great quality at reasonable prices, which is hard to resist.
Transportation
Direct buses are the main mode of transportation for tourists, with frequent and inexpensive services that reach almost anywhere in Portugal. The main railway line for traveling from Lisbon to Porto is well-connected, with free travel for children under four years old, half-price tickets for children aged four to eleven, and student tickets only available for local Portuguese residents. Portugal drives on the right side, just like in our country. Driving while traveling locally is a great option, and renting a car is very convenient, with gasoline available in 97, 92, and high-octane varieties, costing between 140-170 Portuguese escudos per liter.
Accommodation Information
Portugal offers a wide variety of hotels and classifications, mainly divided into two categories. One category is star-rated hotels, which provide services and pricing similar to international standards, while the other category consists of inns, which are classified into five levels and are generally cheaper than hotels of the same rating. High-end hotels in Lisbon are concentrated on Avenida da Liberdade, while mid-range inns are found in the old town around Rossio Square. Typically, hotels rated three stars and above, and inns rated four stars and above, offer complimentary breakfast, so it is best for guests to inquire about this when booking or checking in.
The Portuguese People
Living in Portugal, the locals are unpretentious, slow-paced, colorful, and captivating. Walking on the cobblestone streets, you need not be elegant, extravagant, or conform to norms. As the sun sets, some people sit in small taverns, enjoying seafood meals while listening to the famous local folk music, fado; others stand on the street, drinking beer and smoking; some still patiently queue in front of the century-old egg tart shop; and others join gatherings of young people on the hilltop, encountering beautiful girls and handsome boys. In short, no one in Portugal worries, regardless of whether they have work tomorrow.
